Completely Full Bookshelf

For MMGM and #IMWAYR, I am recommending Becoming Brianna  by Terri Libenson.           Becoming Brianna  is the fourth book in Terri Libenson's graphic novel series "Emmie & Friends"—the first three books are Invisible Emmie , Positively Izzy , and Just Jaime  (reviews linked), and a related journal ( that's been a trend lately) called YOU-Niquely You  is coming out soon. (There will also be a 5th regular book in the series.)            Becoming Brianna  is centered around—you guessed it—Brianna, Emmie's best friend and a recurring character throughout the series (acting as one of two protagonists in Positively Izzy ). Brianna is a smart middle-schooler who, while not shy, certainly doesn't want all eyes on her. Brianna faced her fear of attention when she performed in the school talent show in Positively Izzy , and she faces it again in this book at her bat mitzvah. Brianna can't figure out wh...

Update (4/2/2022): I typically participate in blogging groups that review kids’ books, but sometimes, I do end up reading adult books like this one. In the past, I have typically labeled those books as MG or YA when I review them, primarily because I still want my typically blogging audiences to see them! However, this has become confusing, so I have decided to re-label these books as adult books, while leaving the reviews in their original format. Thank you for your consideration! I've decided to bring back my series of Classic Critique reviews (in which I discuss the pros and cons of classic books) from MMGM in order to review Pride and Prejudice  by Jane Austen, which I would consider a YA book (although it's hardly inappropriate for MG readers, as the most scandalous event is a woman and man living together while unmarried—gasp!). Before we get started, you can read my old Classic Critiques if you want here , and don't worry—I'll be back to the regularly scheduled p...

For MMGM and #IMWAYR, I am recommending Efrén Divided  by Ernesto Cisneros.           I decided to read this book after seeing positive reviews of it by Sierra Dertinger on her blog, Books. Iced Lattes. Blessed, and by Shaye Miller on her blog, The Miller Memo. I am so glad I took their advice! Efrén Divided  tells the story of middle-schooler Efrén Nava. Most of us (including myself) would probably pity Efrén from the very start of the story; his family is pretty poor, so he, his twin young siblings Max and Mía, and his Amá and Apá all live in a one-room apartment. But where we see a shabby apartment, Efrén sees the home of his loving family. Where we see a tiny kitchen, Efrén sees the place where his Amá bakes fresh sopes, flipping them with her bare hands (the root of his nickname for her, Soperwoman). Between his amazing parents, his best friend David, and his love of reading, Efrén knows he has what truly matters in life. So, of course, e...

For #IMWAYR, I am recommending Will Grayson, Will Grayson  by John Green and David Levithan. A word of caution to any young readers: this book is a YA (young adult) novel, not an MG (middle grade) novel and contains some mature content.           Nothing says "behind on my reading" like reading a book from 2010 and discovering mentions of flip phones and instant messaging. In every other way, though, this book's story is timeless and perhaps even more relevant today than it was then. Will Grayson, Will Grayson  alternates between two points of view: that of Will Grayson, and that of Will Grayson. The first Will Grayson survives high school through apathy and distance, in sharp contrast to his gay best friend, Tiny Cooper, who is so dramatic that he is attempting to put on a musical about his own life at his and Will's high school. As Will deals with being in his friend's shadow as well as the struggles of high school romance, the second Will G...

Hello, everyone! Before I get to today's review, I wanted to mention that I hope everyone is healthy and (relatively) happy as we move into what seems like week #627 of the coronavirus. If you're feeling like you're the only person stressed out right now, some bloggers have posted some really relatable content: two standouts are Joanne Fritz at My Brain on Books , who has been documenting her experience weekly with a pandemic diary, and Elisabeth Ellington at The Dirigible Plum , who posted an excellent poem about the coronavirus as part of her now-concluded series of daily poetry for the month of April. Now, let's get to the review! Today, I am reviewing White Bird: A Wonder Story  by R.J. Palacio.           I decided to read this book after seeing an excellent review of it on Sierra Dertinger's wonderful blog, Books. Iced Lattes. Blessed.—I was not disappointed! First, some backstory: White Bird  is a graphic novel companion to Wonde...